Emblems of rarities: or Choyce observations out of worthy histories of many remarkable passages, and renowned actions of divers princes and severall nations With exquisite variety, and speciall collections of the natures of most sorts of creatures: delightfull and profitable to the minde. Collected by D.L.

The besieging of Samaria.

SAmaria was a goodly Citty, and abounded in all things whatsoever, in a great length & breadth: It was besieged by King Adad, in the yeare 3050 before Christ: at that time King Ioram fled into Samaria for suc∣cour, being over-matched by the Syrian Army, trusting and putting his confidence in the fortification and strength of the Walls thereof. But Ioram in length of time being desti∣tute of convenient foode, and all other necessaries, that an Asses head was sold in SA∣MARIA for 80 peeces of Sil∣ver,* 1.1 and a measure of Pigeons dong at five peeces of silver,* 1.2 which they used insteede of Salt: the Famine increased so

much, and the cruelty of the Enemy in detayning those that would have gone out, in po∣licy to make the Famine the greater, and the sieged sooner to mutiny; which fell out too true. And it happend that a certaine woman cryed out to the KING, spying him up∣on the Walls of the Citty, saying, have mercy one mee O my Soveraigne: he encreased with wrath, and supposing that shee had asked him for some re∣liefe or sustinance, beganne to threaten her, and to tell her, that hee had neither graunge nor presse whereby hee might sup∣ply her necessity: The woman told the King that shee had no need of meat, but that she came onely to require justice, and to determine a debate betwixt her and another of her neighbours;

the King gave her audience, and bad her speake: hereupon she said, that shee had made a condition with another woman her friend, that sith the famine was so encreased, that they should kill their Children; (for each one had a son) and in this sort should nourish one another every day: and I have strangled mine yesterday, and she hath ea∣ten with me, and now this day denies me hers, and breaketh the accord betwixt us. Whereby may be seen the great extremity that this City was brought unto by War: But after the siege, Samaria was taken by Salmana∣sar King of the A••••yrians, and made entrance into the Citty, and it was taken by force, in the 7 yeare of his Reigne, and be∣fore Christs birth 746.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Every piece 12 pence.
• * 1.2

  7 pintes.